Burg Simpson Helps Craig Hospital Treat Brain Injuries
For better or worse, brain injuries have been in the news more frequently in recent years. In 2009, the tragic death of actress Natasha Richardson brought attention to the perils of an epidural hematoma. Ms. Richardson fell while taking a skiing lesson, appeared initially unhurt, but later developed a headache and was diagnosed with an epidural hematoma (bleeding between the outer membrane covering the brain and skull).
More recently, lawsuits brought by former NFL football players and a related class action settlement shined a spotlight on injuries associated with repetitive concussive events and the horrors of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (“CTE”), a progressive degenerative disease of the brain commonly in people with a history of repetitive brain trauma. On the positive side, this increased awareness has compelled various state legislatures to enact guidelines and protocols before allowing youth athletes to return to play following head trauma and concussion symptomology. In Colorado, the Jake Snakenberg Youth Sports Concussion Act was signed into law in 2012 requiring that coaches get education on how to recognize a concussion, then a player is removed from play if a concussion is suspected, and that the student athlete must be signed off by a medical professional before returning to play.
New research also shows an equally disturbing trend among non-athletes, particularly in the context of domestic violence. According to new data published late 2017 in the Journal of Women’s Health, between 40 percent and 92 percent of domestic violence victims suffer head trauma. The research also implies that mild traumatic brain injuries—such as concussions—suffered at the hands of a domestic partner, are the most underreported type of brain injury. In fact, according to a report in the Journal of Neurotrauma, only about 20 percent of domestic violence victims who suffered a head injury sought medical help.
Concussions are just one type of traumatic brain injury, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies as any bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts normal brain functions. Nearly 3 million Americans suffer these frightening injuries annually. Additionally, about one-third of all injury deaths are a result of traumatic brain injuries. It is estimated that 28% of traumatic brain injuries are the results of falls, 20% due to injuries from a motor vehicle accident, 19% the result of someone being struck by something or striking something with their head, and roughly 11% are due to physical assaults. Burg Simpson’s traumatic brain injury team which includes Shareholders Stephen J. Burg, Peter W. Burg, and David P. Hersh can help if you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury.
A National Leader in TBI Research and Treatment
Colorado is fortunate in that it is home to Craig Hospital, one of the nation’s leading centers for TBI and spinal cord injury research and treatment. U.S. News and World Report has ranked Englewood-based Craig Hospital among the country’s top 10 rehabilitation centers annually for the last 28 years. Craig treats an average of 500 inpatients and 1,400 outpatients annually. On any given day, Craig is home to between 25 to 30 patients who’ve suffered traumatic brain injuries. A private, nonprofit facility, Craig has treated more than 31,000 patients with SCIs and TBIs since 1956.
Craig offers a comprehensive system of care for brain injury patients of all ages that goes far beyond initial treatment, including rehabilitation and long-term outpatient care. The medical professionals at Craig also work hard to involve the patient’s family and community to help provide a lifetime of care.
Burg Simpson is a Proud Craig Hospital Supporter
Burg Simpson has been a longtime supporter of Craig Hospital. In fact, shareholder Peter W. Burg is a past Chairman of the Operating Board of Directors. Peter has also served on both the Craig Hospital Operating Board and the Craig Hospital Foundation Board for over a decade. Peter also recently presented at the 2018 Brain Injury Summit, primarily organized and sponsored by Craig Hospital.
In addition to helping raise awareness about TBIs and the important work Craig’s been doing for decades, several Burg Simpson shareholders have consistently helped organize the PUSH Gala, the Craig Foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year. Peter and his wife, Sandy, served as chairs for Craig Hospital’s annual PUSH Gala fundraising event in 2013. Peter has been involved in helping to plan and raise money for the event for the past 15 years. Jacob Burg is a part of the 2018 PUSH Gala Planning Committee. This year will be the fundraiser’s 17th annual event and is set for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Denver.
Proceeds from the dinner benefit Craig programs such as Therapeutic Recreation, Adaptive Technology, Music Therapy, Community Reintegration and education programs, most of which aren’t typically covered by most insurance plans. The auction generates funds for the Craig Foundation’s Patient Assistance Fund, which helps lower-income TBI patients travel to and from Craig, buy equipment like wheelchairs and shower chairs, remodel homes for accessibility, train caregivers, pay mortgages and rent, and meet other short and long-term needs.
Burg Simpson annually sponsors and underwrites “Home Runs for Craig” and “Touchdowns for Craig” campaigns in which the law firm makes donations to Craig Hospital for each home run hit by the Colorado Rockies and touchdowns made by the Denver Broncos and the University of Colorado Buffaloes that help pay for SCI and TBI research and patient assistance needs. Burg Simpson also is regularly involved and sponsors a riding team at Craig Hospital’s Pedal 4 Possible fundraising event.
If you’ve been in an accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, Burg Simpson is here for you. Get in touch with our experienced Denver brain injury lawyers right away. Call Burg Simpson Colorado at 303-792-5595, or fill out a Free Case Evaluation Form Here.
